Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Iowa, has won her reelection after a recount confirmed her slim lead. This victory helps the Republicans hold onto their control in the U.S. House and keeps all four of Iowa’s congressional seats in GOP hands.
Miller-Meeks, who represents the eastern part of Iowa, celebrated the win by thanking her supporters. “I’m deeply honored,” she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). She defeated Democrat Christina Bohannan in a close race, where the margin was less than 1,000 votes, or less than a percentage point. This is a rematch of their 2022 race, which Miller-Meeks won by a wider margin of 7 percentage points.
Looking ahead, Miller-Meeks promised to focus on issues like lowering prices at the gas pump and grocery store, securing the border, and supporting farmers. She first earned a seat in Congress in 2020 by winning a very tight race by just six votes.
After the election, Bohannan asked for a recount, a process allowed when the margin is very close. She said the recount was necessary to make sure every vote was counted. Although she didn’t win, she proudly shared how her campaign exceeded expectations, turning what was thought to be an unwinnable district into one of the closest races in the country.
The recount, which took place in all 20 counties of the district, was paid for by the state since the margin was under 1%. Republicans, however, accused Bohannan and other Democrats of trying to delay the inevitable result and called the recount a waste of taxpayer money.
Overall, Republicans kept their hold on all of Iowa’s congressional seats. Other GOP incumbents like Ashley Hinson and Randy Feenstra also won their races, while Zach Nunn defended his seat in the Des Moines area.
This sweep in Iowa’s congressional races shows how the state has shifted rightward over the past few years, especially after Barack Obama won Iowa in 2008 and 2012.